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23 Dec

Quality Chimney Repair in My Area

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Quality Chimney Repair In My Area

With the onset of winter, Toronto homes are turning to their fireplaces and heating systems to stay warm this season. Have you noticed the state of your chimney leaves something to be desired? Are you unable to use it this winter as it has fallen into disrepair? Wilkens Contracting offers quality chimney repair to the Toronto area, and beyond, to help those who need to keep warm this winter!

Continue to read through this article to learn how our masonry company can help you this season.

Expert Knowledge

Wilkens Contracting has been servicing Toronto since our establishment in 1977. We are a fully licensed and insured family based company that aims to treat every client as if they were part of the family! All work is performed by our own team, thoroughly trained and wholly qualified to take on any masonry job you may need help completing.

When you hire our company, for all of your masonry needs, you will obtain friendly and professional help, that will be able to extend the life of your chimney for many more decades to come. Whatever you may need; tuck pointing, replacing flue tiles, re-cementing chimney crowns, brick restoration, and more, our expert team has you covered.

Don’t just take our word for it, check out our testimonials to hear from our previously satisfied clients.

No Pressure

Unfortunately, chimney repair fraud is a very real thing. It is essential to understand this before contracting someone or some company to do the work for you. Some will attempt to frighten you into hiring them, using terms like carbon monoxide poisoning or house fires to pressure you into making a quick decision.

If you feel as if you are being pushed or harassed into making a decision, then make the decision to push them out the door and look for someone else. With Wilkens Contracting, we will communicate with you openly and honestly about what your chimney or masonry repair would need, how much it would cost, and how long it would take.

Free Estimate

We offer a free masonry estimate to all of our potential clients as a way to show our sincerity at transparency. Just provide us with your contact information and what you are looking to have repaired or replaced on your chimney, and we will get back to you in a timely manner.

Contact us online or visit our facility in person to get your repairs and builds underway with Wilkens Contracting today!

17 Dec

Where Can I Get My Brick Openings Repaired?

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Where Can I Get My Brick Openings Repaired?

Brick openings, whether they are windows, doors, archers, or the like, need to be accurately formed to provide the right support for the structure. If brick openings are compromised, so too is the safety of the building. The proper support is needed when dealing with any form of construction, especially so when that form is your home. If you are looking for a reliable and professional team of masons to repair your home’s brick openings, Wilkens Contracting can help!

Please read on to learn how our company can best serve you!

Lintel Use

For stone and brickwork to keep its structural integrity around openings, it needs the proper support. A lintel is a structural member placed over an opening in a wall, to allow for this stability, supporting the load above the opening.

Lintels can be constructed using an array of materials, as long as the proper design is adhered to, usually in the form of angles, flats, or T-sections. As the Wilkens Contracting team is made up of knowledgeable masons, we will be able to facilitate brick opening repairs on any of these lintel types.

The Support

There are five methods of supporting brickwork over an opening: brick arches, steel bars and angles, prefabricated reinforced concrete, prefabricated brickwork, and directly from the reinforced concrete structure.

Each support method has its own purposes and uses depending on the size, length, aesthetic design, and location of the opening. Whether the wall is a load bearing wall or not, will also play a key role in brick opening repairs.

Our Help

Wilkens Contracting and our team of professional and experienced masons will assess your home’s brick openings and lintels to see which of the five methods are being used. From there we will be able to perform the necessary repairs to revitalize your home and have it looking as good as new. Whatever issues you may be having with your brick openings, we will be able to help!

Visit Us

Here at Wilkens Contracting, we offer a free estimate to all potential clients so you can understand what your masonry repair or build will entail from the start, with zero hidden fees. Just provide us with your contact information and what you are looking to have repaired or replaced, and we will promptly get back to you.

Contact us online or visit our facility in person to get your masonry repairs underway today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Nov

Toronto Fireplaces

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Wilkens Contracting and Toronto Fireplaces

Fireplaces have been at the center of hearth and home since the construction of shelters within our species’ history. They act as a source of heat, light, and food, fireplaces can be defined as the heart of our homes. Wilkens Contracting in Toronto focuses a great deal of energy and time perfecting our fireplaces as a means to provide our clients with a healthy heartbeat for their homes.

To learn what Wilkens Contracting can do for you and your fireplace, read on for more details!

Expert Service

Fire has been the driving force behind human evolution, and as such, fireplaces have become a gathering place for human interaction. Serving as a focal point in a room, Wilkens Contracting understands the importance of fireplaces in your Toronto based homes. Our company has been building, reconstructing, and repairing wood-burning fireplaces for over thirty-five years now, making us experts in the industry.

Since our conception in 1977, Wilkens Contracting has been the leading fireplace restoration company in the Toronto area. If you or someone you know are looking to entrust the heart of their homes to construction- you have come to the right place. Here at Wilkens Contracting, we provide top quality services to all of our clients. Take a look at our testimonials to see just how serious we take our business!

Materials Galore

Wilkens Contracting offers their Toronto clients an array of materials to use in the construction and repair of their fireplaces. Whether you are looking for a fireplace that will act as the eye-catching focal point, match the elegant interior of your home, or the unique personality of your furniture, we have the materials for you!

Many clients ask us to completely rebuild their fireplaces to match modern designs and contemporary looks. We are happy to revitalize your hearth as a means to breath new life back into the home. Wilkens Contracting offers a host of materials to achieve your desired look. The facade of your fireplace can be built, or rebuilt, with marble, tiles, stone, brick, or slate to suit you and your home’s design.

We can be the cardiologist of the contracting industry- resurrecting your fireplace to become the heart of your hearth and home. Overall, Wilkens Contracting can provide all of our prospective Toronto clients with the fireplaces they deserve!

Get in contact with a member of our team online or through the phone (416-425-8055) to start your fireplace revitalization today!

Nov

Brick Repairs at Wilkens Contracting

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Wilkens Contracting and Toronto Based Brick Repairs

Bricks date back to 7000 BC, making them one of the oldest construction materials on the planet. Bricks, deriving from clay found in the ground, have served an essential function in our homes for centuries. Wilkens Contracting, helping the Toronto area, understands the importance of brick repairs in maintaining the integrity of your home.

To learn if you are in need of brick repairs with Wilkens Contracting, continue to read this article or peruse our website.

Spalling

Widely used, bricks should be kept in good repair to get the most out of this material. If your bricks are chipping, or breaking off in fragments, your bricks are spalling. When this happens, your structure is falling into disrepair. Spalling can lead to structurally weak buildings and are unpleasing to the eye.

Here at Willkens Contracting, we offer brick repairs in the Toronto area. It is of utmost importance to restore your bricks to their optimum state as a means to keep your buildings structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. So put a stop to your spalling bricks today by hiring our knowledgeable team at Wilkens Contracting.

Tuck Pointing

Bricks also denote any rectangular units laid in mortar and can be constructed from an array of materials- whether it clay, sand, lime, or concrete materials. Our tuck pointing processes focus on the mortar, repairing and maintaining the joints and holes within this hardened substance.

At Wilkens Contracting we tint all of our mortar before applying to the joints to match it to the existing colouring as a means to produce seamless brick repairs for our Toronto based clients.

Moisture

The primary cause of all brick and mortar deterioration is due to moisture. This condensation hits hardest along the base of the wall, at the windowsill level, by the downpipes and pillars, as well as in the chimney area.

Structures built before the 1950s did not seal their foundations, like many buildings in the Toronto area that were constructed before this time period, these brick facades are beginning to fall apart. Moisture from the soil creeps into the bricks and spreads up the wall causing destruction. Wilkens Contracting can stop this spread of decay and repair your brick facade back to its original glory! To see how well Wilkens Contracting executes our brick repairs in the Toronto area, take a look at our gallery!

Nov

Wilkens Contracting and Masonry Repairs

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Wilkens Contracting and Masonry Repairs in Toronto

Here at Wilkens Contracting, we place emphasis on our relationship with our Toronto based clients when it comes to masonry repairs and all of their restoration needs. Fully licensed and insured, our company prides itself on our customer service.

Making sure your brickwork and masonry are structural sound is what we do best. Read on to learn how Wilkens Contracting can help you and your masonry needs!

Repairs and Restorations

Masonry refers to the building of structures using individual units, often bound together by mortar, and is a highly durable form of construction, as many structures throughout history have been built using this method. But all buildings need a touch up now and again to make sure the walls are structurally sound and performing their functions to the best of the materials’ abilities.

Missing, cracked, or broken mortar is not a repair you should take lightly. As mortar binds and protects the brick themselves, it is an essential aspect of a structure and must be given the respect and care it deserves. As part of masonry services, we focus on maintaining the integrity of this mortar, known as tuckpointing.

Whether you are looking for masonry repairs, brick restoration, or chimney and fireplace repairs and rebuilds in the Toronto area, Wilkens Contracting has you covered.

A Company for all Seasons

Our company understands local weather patterns and the elemental damage that comes with living in a country with four very distinct seasons. With over three decades of knowledge and experience in the Toronto area, you are in safe hands when you choose Wilkens Contracting to do all of your masonry repairs.

Testimonials

Much of our business is gained through repeat clients and their referrals, illustrating just how much Wilkens Contracting focuses on satisfying all of our customers’ needs. Not only do we get the job done right, but we also do it in a timely and friendly manner. We take our clients through a step by step process of their repair so they can understand everything we are doing and why.

But don’t just take our word for it, check out what our previous clients had to say about our workmanship and customer service. As a family-based company providing masonry repairs to the Toronto area, Wilkens Contracting can serve all of your restoration needs.

Give us a call at 416-425-8055, or contact us online to get the process underway!

Nov

New Chimney in Toronto

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New Chimney in Toronto with Wilkens Contracting

Chimneys serve multiple functions within a structure- they provide a passageway for the smoke to escape, assist with the buildings heating process, add aesthetic to the structure as a whole and have been an asset to our homes for centuries. If you are in need of a new chimney in the Toronto area, look to us here at Wilkens Contracting to receive the best care on the market!

Causes of Deterioration

Toronto chimneys fall into disrepair due to two main reasons: the elements and the exhaust of the heating system. With Canadian winter coming on quickly, you should look to the integrity of your chimney now more than ever. The wear and tear from our weather, combined with the required heating to ward off such weather, Toronto chimneys see a lot of use during the colder seasons.

When the warm exhaust of the furnace or boiler coincides with the cold air from outside, condensation collects along the exposed chimney and the base of the roof. This ongoing moisture deteriorates the brick causing crumbling or spalling of the material. If left too long, the stack can begin to rot, making it essential to repair or rebuild to continue to serve its purpose adequately.

Chimneys mainly need repair on the outside of the home, atop the roof, as that is where they are vulnerable to the elements. Wilkens Contracting understands this type of elemental damage in the Toronto area and can provide you with a new chimney that can withstand the region’s harsh weather.

Corbel Conundrum

Many people hold to the belief that the design of the top part of your chimney is to blame for the deterioration of the entity as a whole. That older designs of chimneys cannot withstand modern heating and should be substituted with concrete caps as a means to offset the damage caused. This is simply not true.

Companies push the use of precast concrete caps, a product produced after the 1950s. Wilkens Contracting understands that many Toronto homes were built before the 1950s, and as such, should receive chimney care and products that match the time period and design of the structure. Here at Wilken Contracting, we believe that placing a corbel top on your new chimney will keep the historical integrity of your Toronto home while still serving the function they were initially designed for, without compromising the effectiveness and performance of the overall chimney.

Next time you are in an older part of the Toronto area, take a look at the chimneys and notice the use of the corbel designs! With decades of experience in the Toronto area, Wilkens Contracting knows what materials and designs are needed in the case of a new chimney or chimney repairs.

Oct

Masonry with Wilkens Contracting

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Masonry with Wilkens Contracting

At Wilkens Contracting, we take all of our masonry repairs seriously and give each client, and their homes, the care and attention they deserve. So if you live in the Greater Toronto Area and are in need of structural repairs, Wilkens Contracting is here for you!

Continue to read on to learn why Wilkens Contracting is one of the most trusted masonic contractors in the GTA!

Climate Consciousness

Having worked in Toronto for the whole of our existence, Wilkens Contracting understands the Canadian climate and the damage it can create on masonry construction. The country’s distinct four seasons can wreak havoc on brickwork, chimneys, fireplaces, and the like, especially in winter! We know what is needed to create structurally sound repairs and rebuilds that can withstand the volatile Canadian seasons.

Services

Wilkens Contracting can cover all of your masonry restorations in the GTA. Whether your chimney needs to be repaired or rebuilt, your fireplace refurbished or remodelled, or your bricks restored or tuckpointed, we are here for you!

Spalling damage is prominent in older buildings. This means that the brickwork and mortar are falling into disrepair, as the joints crumble and the bricks break apart, a building will become structurally unsound. When this happens, the masonry will need to be repaired, or even replaced, to keep the integrity of the structure. If you notice your brickwork is spalling, than contact us here at Wilkens Contracting, and we can bring your building back to its original condition, with our top of the line tuckpointing process.

Individual Care

Wilkens Contracting is a family run and family oriented company. This means we treat each of our clients like family. We will provide top of the line services, backed by over four decades of experience in the contracting industry, to all those who place their trust in our hands. Our masons are fully licensed and insured, and wholly knowledgeable about the industry so you can be sure you are getting the best of the best when you hire us!

Wilkens Contracting masonry testimonials speak for themselves, so have a look at what our previous clients have had to say! We look forward to adding you to our ever-growing list of satisfied customers.

Our company promises to provide all of our clients with the best services possible. We take pride in our friendly and open manner, and the knowledge and experience we have gained through our decades of existence. We will do everything in our power to complete your project on time and to the best of our ability.

So enlist the help of our masons here at Wilkens Contracting by giving us a call (416-425-8055), or contacting us online!

Oct

Fireplaces with Wilkens Contracting

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Fireplaces with Wilkens Contracting

Wilkens Contracting knows what we are doing when it comes to all things fireplaces. If you are in need of repairs or rebuilds for your fireplace and are located in the Greater Toronto area than Wilkens Contracting is for you!

Our family based company is fully licensed and wholly knowledgeable when it comes to masonry restorations. Continue to browse this post to discover why Wilkens Contracting is the best in the business when it comes to repairing and rebuilding your fireplaces!

Expertise You Can Trust

We have been working with fireplaces for over four decades now and understand the care needed to keep your hearth in optimal condition. In that time, our company has seen many types of fireplaces in all kinds of disrepair. Our expertise comes from the extensive experience we have gained while working in the GTA.

Our fireplace expertise spans repairs, builds and rebuilds, facade updates, and more. Wilkens Contracting understands the type of weather conditions Canada has, so we are very knowledgeable when it comes to repairing the weather damage most prominent in this region. No matter what your fireplace material consists of, we have all of your bases covered at Wilkens Contracting, as we work with brick, marble, tiles, stone, and slate.

Fireplace Anatomy

You would not trust your health with a medical doctor who does not understand the human anatomy- and so you should not trust your fireplace with a contractor who does not understand the inner workings of fireplaces. Here at Wilkens Contracting, we can provide top of the line services for all kinds of fireplaces, because we know the shape of such things.

It is crucial to understand the terminology and anatomy of what makes up a fireplace when dealing with them. Head on over to our Fireplace Anatomy Page to see a full diagram and terminology list. We provide this information to our clients so that we can discuss your repairs transparently, so you understand the step by step process to revitalize your fireplace without fear of miscommunication or misrepresentation.

Estimates

Oct

Masonry Restoration with Wilkens Contracting

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Masonry Restoration at Wilkens Contracting

Wilkens Contracting sees the art and beauty behind perfectly executed masonry restoration. If you are in the Greater Toronto area and are looking for someone to repair your walls, fireplaces, or chimneys, look no further than Wilkens Contracting.

Read on to learn why Wilkens Contracting is leagues above the rest!

Centuries-Old Knowledge

Technological progression of stonework and architectural integrity is what has propelled humanity into the future. With a focus on building bigger, better, and stronger structures, our history is filled with buildings that have lasted generations. This is all thanks to the builders who spearheaded innovative stone techniques and dared to try new materials and architectural forms.

Here at Wilkens Contracting, we take the knowledge gathered through centuries of masonry work and use it in our twenty-first-century jobs to produce the highest quality stonework our clients can be proud of.

Tuckpointing

Here at Wilkens Contracting tuckpointing is just one of the masonry restoration projects we can undertake. Tuckpointing is most often used for aesthetic repairs and maintenance when the bricks begin to spall (crumble and break apart on the surface). We focus on evening out the mortar joints of older brickwork to give an even and unified look to the structure.

Our masons tint the mortar before applying directly to the joints, so the new material can blend evenly with the existing colours and shadowing. By doing it this way, Wilkens Contracting will leave your brickwork looking seamlessly vibrant so you won’t have to worry about the eyesore of patchwork or mismatched bricks. Take a look at all of our tuckpointing testimonials from our previous satisfied clients.

Renovations

Wilkens Contracting also offers other types of masonry restoration. We can create new openings in your walls for all of your renovation projects, whether they are window size, door size, or any size in between. Our company can also resize openings to fit new frames.

Our masons have access to many types of antique bricks, so we can easily match the materials used on many older structures in Toronto, so you won’t have to worry about any unsightly repairs. Have a look at our photo gallery to see the seamless work with your own eyes!

Wilkens Contracting brings that knowledge and understanding to every one of our masonry restoration jobs. We see the beauty in perfectly executed masonry. Our company takes pride in the work we do, and we want you to take pride in it with us.

04 Oct

Chimney Repairs at Wilkens Contracting

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Chimney Repairs at Wilkens Contracting

As the autumn months give way to winter, our chimneys and fireplaces will begin to see extra use. Don’t be caught out by your broken chimney this season, enlist the help of Wilkens Contracting for all of your chimney repairs and rebuilds before its too late!

Read on to learn how Wilkens Contracting can help you and your chimney this winter!

Repairs

Keeping the masonry of your chimney in good repair is vital to the overall integrity of your structure. A chimney should be able to last fifty years or more when it is correctly maintained. This includes regular cleaning of the fireplace flues and checkups of the chimney masonry.

If you notice that your chimney is spalling, breaking apart and crumbling, or the mortar is cracking, then contact Wilkens Contracting to get your chimney repairs underway. We can repair crumbling brick, disintegrating mortar joints, rusted dampers (located in the throat of the chimney), and more!

Rebuilds

Sometimes the chimney is too far gone for repairs and is not structurally sound enough to be considered safe. If your chimney is leaning to the side, or showing signs of significant brick deterioration, with large gaps of mortar missing, then a rebuild is in your best interest.

Our masons have access to an extensive collection of old and antique bricks so Wilkens Contracting will do our best to match our materials to the ones of your home. We also colour match the mortar so your repairs and rebuilds will blend in with the rest of your home, making an aesthetically pleasing alteration.

Elemental Exposure

Having worked in Canada for the whole of our existence, since our establishment in 1977, we understand the volatile weather conditions of this beautiful country. Chimneys are freestanding structures that are completely exposed to the elements at any given time.

This constant exposure can wreak havoc on your chimney’s structural integrity and should, therefore, be checked seasonally for damages. If you find you are in need of chimney repairs before this region’s harsh winters hit, now is the time to get in contact with Wilkens Contracting.

One of the top masonry repair facilitators in the Greater Toronto area, Wilkens Contracting can complete all of your chimney repairs, builds, or rebuilds. Fill out our free estimate form, and one of our knowledgeable and friendly employees will get in contact with you right away!

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Dec